Athletic training equipment

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus may include a rectangular platform, first and second attachment points, first and second rails and friction reducing runners on the rails. The platform may have an upper face, a lower face, two long edges and two short edges. The first attachment point may be disposed along one of the long edges. The second attachment point may be disposed along the other of the long edges. The first rail may be attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to one of the short edges of the platform. The second rail may be attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to the other of the short edges of the platform. The first and second rails may be spaced apart to define a passageway beneath the apparatus, wherein the passageway is configured to allow the apparatus to pass over a standard sprinter&#39;s starting block without contacting any part of the starting block.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 15/062,071, filed on Mar. 5, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Rigorous training is crucial for athletes to achieve optimal performance in their sports. Track and field athletes, football players, and swimmers, for example, must learn proper hand and feet placement techniques to develop power, coordination, and speed, among other skills. Traditional training equipment often lack versatility and durability for the various drills and exercises athletes must engage in.

SUMMARY

The instant application discloses, among other things, Athletic Training Equipment. In one embodiment, a training block may comprise a sled to help users such as track and field athletes, for example, develop power, coordination, and speed, among other skills. The training block may be pulled from the front and back ends without requiring a user to turn it around. With the aid of a training belt and cable, for example, the training block may be pulled in all directions including forward, backward, diagonal, and sideways. The training block may include a wide base to allow it to be used in sand, for example, without sinking.

In another embodiment, Athletic Training Equipment may comprise an aqua training block to help users such as swimmers, for example, develop skills while training in water. It may be made of a light-weight, rust-roof material and may include rails which sit in platoons for greater stability.

In yet another embodiment, Athletic Training Equipment may comprise a single-man blocking sled which may be used to train an athlete, such as a football player, for example, on proper hand and feet placement techniques, among other skills. It may include an adjustable apparatus with a base that sits off the ground. This may allow a user to exert greater power and strength. The sled may also be blocked from both sides, eliminating the need to turn the sled around to go back in the same direction.

In yet another embodiment, Athletic Training Equipment may comprise a training belt which may be used to pull equipment such as a training block and single-man blocking sled, for example, in all directions.

Many of the attendant features may be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed Athletic Training Equipment will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various Athletic Training Equipment are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to one embodiment. In this example, a Training Block 100 may comprise a sled which may be used by track and field athletes, for example. Training Block 100 may help users develop power, coordination, and speed, among other skills. Training Block 100 may include a Platform 110 which may rest on Base 120. Base 120 may have sufficient width to allow Training Block 100 to be used in various environments such as sand, mud, or wet grass, for example, without sinking. Training Block 100 may be pulled from both its front and back ends without requiring a user to turn it around. Accessories such as a training belt and cable, for example, may attach to an attachment means such as Hooks 130, for example, to allow a user to pull Training Block 100 in all directions including forward, backward, diagonal, and sideways. Training Block 100 may have sufficient height and width to allow it to travel over a starting block which sprinters may use to accelerate away from a starting line. Training Block 100 may be made in various shapes, sizes, and materials such as steel, carbon fiber, composites, plastic, wood, rubber, and aluminum, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment. In this example, Training Block 100 may include Platform 110 having any shape, size, and made of any material. It may include features such as a waterproof, rustproof, or skid-proof surface, for example, and padding for added comfort. Platform 110 may rest on Base 120, which may include a plurality of legs and rails, for example. Base 120 may be made in any shape, size, and material. Hooks 130 may allow a user to attach accessories such as a belt or cable, for example, to Training Block 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment. Training Block 100 may include Platform 110, which may sit on Base 120 and include a plurality of Hooks 130.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to another embodiment. In this example, Athletic Training Equipment may comprise an Aqua Training Block 400 to help users such as swimmers develop power, coordination, and speed, for example, while training in the water. Aqua Training Block 400 may include Platform 410, which may rest on a base including Rails 420, which may sit in Platoons 430 for greater stability. Accessories such as a training belt and cable, for example, may attach to Hooks 440 to attach a user to Aqua Training Block 400. Aqua Training Block 400 may be made in any shape, size, and material, for example, a light-weight, rust-proof material.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment. Aqua Training Block 400 may include Platform 410, which may be made in any size, color, and shape. Platform 410 may have features such as a waterproof, rustproof, or skid-proof surface and padding for added comfort. Platform 410 may rest on Rails 420 sitting in Platoons 430 and may include Hooks 440 for attaching accessories, for example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to the aforementioned embodiment. Aqua Training Block 400 may include Platform 410 which may have a base including Rails 420 which may sit in Platoons 430 for greater stability. Aqua Training Block 400 may also include Hooks 440, for example, to serve as an attachment means.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to another embodiment. In this example, Athletic Training Equipment may comprise a single-man Blocking Sled 700 suitable for training an athlete on proper hand placement, feet placement, and blocking techniques, for example. Blocking Sled 700 may be used by athletes such as football players, for example, and may also function as a multipurpose training block. Blocking Sled 700 may comprise an adjustable apparatus including Platform 710, which may rest on a Base 720 which may sit off the ground. This may allow a user to exert better power and strength, for example. It may also include attachment means such as Hooks 720 to attach an athlete to Blocking Sled 700, for example, with the use of accessories. Blocking Sled may include a ground ladder having any size, such as 5 yards or 15 feet in length, for example. In one example, an athlete may push Blocking Sled 700 over the ground ladder to engage in feet placement exercises. Blocking Sled 700 may be blocked from both its front and back sides, eliminating the need for a user to turn it around. By removing the upper section, the lower section of Blocking Sled 700 may be used as a multipurpose training block. In this setting, it may be used to train an athlete's legs in all directions with the use of accessories such as a training belt and cable, for example.

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of Athletic Training Equipment, according to another embodiment. In this example, Training Belt 800 may allow a user, such as an athlete, to pull any object, such as athletic training equipment, for example, in all directions. Training Belt 800 may comprise a Strap 810 having an Enclosure Means 820 such as a buckle or hook-and-loop fastener, for example and Loop 830 to keep the tongue of Strap 810 in place. Strap 810 may also include Adjustment Means 840, such as apertures or ridges, for example, to secure Strap 810 fittingly on a user. Training Belt 800 may also include any attachment means such as Hooks 850, for example, to attach equipment or accessories such as weights or resistance tubes, for example, to Strap 810.

Turning attention to FIGS. 9 and 10, another example of Athletic Training Equipment, training block 900, will now be described. Training block 900 includes many similar or identical features to the Athletic Training Equipment described above. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of training block 900 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between training block 900 and the Athletic Training Equipment described above will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the various embodiments.

As can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, training block 900 includes, a rectangular platform 910, first and second attachment points 940, a lateral support member, first and second rails 930, friction-reducing runners 935, and a post 914. The rectangular platform 910 has an upper face, a lower face, two long edges and two short edges.

The first attachment point 930 is disposed along a first long edge of the rectangular platform 910. The second attachment point 930 is disposed along a second long edge of the rectangular platform 910. Either of the attachment points may be utilized to pull the training block 900. Thus, in this regard, training block 900 may be pulled back and forth across a surface without requiring the user to turn the training block 900 around.

Post 914 functions to keep one or more weight plates in place on the rectangular platform 910. Thus, the user may select the resistance provided by the training block 900.

The first rail 930 is attached to the lower face of the platform 930 proximal a first short edge of the platform. The second rail is attached to the lower face of the platform 930 proximal a second short edge of the platform. The first and second rails 930 are spaced apart from each other by a distance A. Distance A may be greater than the width of a standard sprinter's starting block. Further, the rails 930 may hold the platform 910 a distance B off the ground. Distance B may be greater than the height of a standard sprinter's block. In this regard, the rails 930 may define a passageway beneath the training block 900, wherein the passageway is configured to allow the training block 900 to pass over a standard sprinter's block without contacting any part of the starting block 900.

Thus, training block 900 may be utilized in conjunction with a sprinter's block, wherein a user starts in the sprinter's block with the training block positioned behind the sprinter's block and then sprints away from the sprinter's block, pulling the training block 900 over the sprinter's block without making contact with it.

In some embodiments, distance A is at least 20 inches. In another embodiment, distance A is at least 25 inches. In yet another embodiment, distance A is at least 30 inches. In another embodiment, distance A is at least 35 inches. In yet another embodiment, distance A is at least 40 inches.

In one embodiment, distance B is at least 6 inches. In another embodiment, distance B is at least 7 inches. In yet another embodiment, distance B is at least 8 inches. In another embodiment, distance B is at least 9 inches. In yet another embodiment, distance B is at least 10 inches.

The rails 930 may include friction-reducing runners 935 attached to the bottom surface of rails 930. The friction-reducing runners 935 may function to allow training block 900 to slide smoothly along the ground as it is being pulled by the user. The runners 935 may be comprised of metal, composite, wood and/or plastic, among other materials.

In some embodiments, the runners 935 are comprised of a polymer material. In one embodiment, the runners 935 are comprised of an acetal resin. In one embodiment, the acetal resin may comprise DELRIN produced by DUPONT. In one embodiment, the polymer material may comprise a fluoropolymer.

The polymer material of the runners 935 may be relatively hard and durable to prevent premature wear of the runners. In one embodiment, the polymer material may have a Rockwell indentation hardness of at least R100. In another embodiment, the polymer material may have a Rockwell indentation hardness of at least R105. In one embodiment, the polymer material may have a Rockwell indentation hardness of at least R110. In one embodiment, the polymer material may have a Rockwell indentation hardness of at least R115.

The platform 910 may include a lateral support member 912. The lateral support member 912 may function to stiffen the rectangular platform 910 to help prevent bowing of the platform under the stress of the weight plates. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral support member 914 bisects the rectangular platform 910 along its long axis. In this regard, the lateral support 914 member may be disposed directly below post 914. The lateral support member 914 may comprise a rectangular tube attached to the lower face of the rectangular platform 910.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a rectangular platform, the platform having an upper face, a lower face, two long edges and two short edges a first attachment point disposed along one of the long edges; a second attachment point disposed along the other of the long edges; a first rail attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to one of the short edges of the platform; a second rail attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to the other of the short edges of the platform, the first and second rails being spaced apart to define a passageway beneath the apparatus, wherein the passageway is configured to allow the apparatus to pass over a standard sprinter's starting block without contacting any part of the starting block; and friction-reducing runners attached to the rails.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wherein the runners are comprised of a polymer material.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the polymer material comprises an acetal resin.
 4. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the polymer material comprises DELRIN.
 5. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the polymer material comprises a fluoropolymer.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the polymer material has a Rockwell indention hardness of at least R110.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising a lateral support member configured to stiffen the rectangular platform.
 8. The exercise apparatus of claim 7, where in the lateral support member comprises a rectangular tube attached to the lower face of the rectangular platform.
 9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, comprising a post extending from the upper face of the rectangular platform, the post being configured to secure one or more weights.
 10. The exercise apparatus of claim 9, comprising a lateral support member configured to stiffen the rectangular platform, wherein the lateral support member is disposed on the lower face of the rectangular platform directly below the post.
 11. An exercise apparatus comprising: a rectangular platform, the platform having an upper face, a lower face, two long edges and two short edges a first attachment point disposed along one of the long edges; a second attachment point disposed along the other of the long edges; a first rail attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to one of the short edges of the platform; a second rail attached to the lower face of the platform proximal to the other of the short edges of the platform, the first and second rails being spaced apart to define a passageway beneath the apparatus, wherein the passageway is configured to allow the apparatus to pass over a standard sprinter's starting block without contacting any part of the starting block; friction-reducing runners attached to the rails; a lateral support member configured to stiffen the rectangular platform; and a post extending from the upper face of the rectangular platform, the post being configured to secure one or more weights.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wherein the runners are comprised of a polymer material.
 13. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the polymer material comprises an acetal resin.
 14. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the polymer material comprises DELRIN.
 15. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the polymer material comprises a fluoropolymer.
 16. The exercise apparatus of claim 12, wherein the polymer material has a Rockwell indention hardness of at least R110.
 17. The exercise apparatus of claim 11, comprising a lateral support member configured to stiffen the rectangular platform, wherein the lateral support member is disposed on the lower face of the rectangular platform directly below the post. 